Multiple layered radiant active assembly

ABSTRACT

An active insulated assembly for controlling heat transfer through insulated assemblies. The active insulated assembly includes a thermal conductor configured to actively move thermal energy from the active insulated assembly. The active insulated assembly also includes a first radiant barrier on a first side of the thermal conductor configured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in either direction. The active insulated assembly further includes a second radiant barrier on a second side of the thermal conductor wherein the second side is opposite the first side, the second radiant barrier configured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in either direction.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/099,974, filed Dec. 8, 2013, which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/747,709, filed onDec. 31, 2012. The entire teachings of the above applications areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to multiple improvements to the performance ofinsulated assemblies for all matters of use, including walls, floors,roofs of dwellings and buildings and any enclosure designed to create acontrolled thermal environment.

In the 2008 National Science and Technology report on “Net Zero Energy,High Performance Green Buildings”, “the greenest energy is that which isnot used.” The report goes on to state that new construction techniquesand methods must be employed to breach the current best energyefficiency standards for fully integrated designed structures.Deconstructing the current state of the art for building elements andlooking for new materials and methods is an understood way to make aquantum leap in more energy efficient structures. Building codesincorporate climate data (zones) and insulation R values as a means toestablish minimum building performance as a prescriptive method ofdesigning structures. In more severe climates, walls are constructedwith fiber glass batts or blown insulation, and the thickness of theneeded insulation dictates the wall thickness. In addition, theseinsulations tend to settle over time, leaving un-insulated gaps andreducing their originally intended effectiveness. Insulation productsare available that include some form of a radiant barrier, but it isalways a single radiant barrier and little is given in thespecifications of the product on how the radiant layer operates or howit should be properly applied in construction methods.

Typical insulated assembly construction uses an insulation material toresist the transfer of heat to reduce the energy required to heat orcool the controlled thermal environment. Although heat transfer canoccur in all three forms: 1) conductive, 2) convective, and 3)radiation; traditional insulated assemblies are tested and measured interms of overall R value (U_(total)=1/R_(total)), where U value−overallheat transfer coefficient and R value−the resistive property of aninsulation material, and overlook the effects of radiant heat transferthrough the assembly. As industries are challenged to maintain higher oflevels of energy efficiency, new methods need to be developed toadequately address all three forms of heat transfer.

Radiant heating as a technology is typically defined as a method ofintentionally using the principles of radiant heat transfer to warm anobject radiantly from an emitting heat source. Most prior art in thearea of radiant heating define a heating source and radiant surface toinitiate heat transfer. As stated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,381, entitled“FOR RADIANT FLOOR, WALL AND CEILING HYDRONIC HEATING AND/OR COOLINGSYSTEMS USING METAL PLATES THAT ARE HEATED OR COOLED BY ATTACHED TUBINGTHAT IS FED HOT OR COLD WATER, TECHNIQUES OF IMPROVING PERFORMANCE ANDAVOIDING CONDENSATION WHEN COOLING”, issued Aug. 3, 1999, “It isbelieved by many that hydronic radiant heating is the ideal way to warmthe human body and superior to forced hot air heating.” Much of theprior art is typical of FIG. 1 and is focused on claims using a heatedor cooled plate or panel to improve the occupant comfort by usingradiant heating methods. Further, U.S. Patent 2011/0232883, “IN-WALLHYDRONIC THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND INSTALLATION METHOD”, published Sep.29, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,903, “RADIANT FLOOR WALL AND CEILINGHYDRONIC HEATING AND/OR COOLING SYSTEMS, USING MODULAR PANELS HINGEDTOGETHER IN SETS OF PANELS, STAGGERING THE POSITIONS OF PANELS IN THESETS SO THAT SETS ARE INTERLOCKING”, issued Feb. 6, 2001 both representpast works that claimed to use a heat TRANSFER METHOD (MEDIUM) 102 and areflective element 101, to direct radiant heat to the conditioned space.

Further, a single layer of heated radiant material will radiate fromboth surfaces and the radiant heat loss from the side of the barrierthat is directed away from the conditioned space is omitted andun-accounted for in the heating calculations and thermal performance.

Prior art with respect to insulated assemblies has incorporated someform of a radiant barrier but have not used any active forms or methodsto affect the insulated assembly's performance. U.S. patent2006/0230707, “VENTED INSULATION PANEL WITH REFLECTING SURFACE” issuedOct. 19, 2006, states “In more recent years, many products have beenintroduced that utilize the special properties of aluminum. Highlypolished aluminum foil or aluminum sheets, have the unique property ofreflecting up to ninety-seven-percent (97%) of the incoming radiantenergy.” As a related patent in FIG. 2 , it includes a radiant layer 201and an air gap 202 that by nature can create convective heat transfer,but this prior art does not treat radiant energy at both assemblysurfaces; nor does it use a truly active method to reduce the heattransfer effect. Passive insulation methods 203 are used to limit heattransfer to the conditioned space.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,852, “REFLECTIVE HEAT INSULATION”, issued Nov. 2,2004 (FIG. 3 ) features an insulated assembly that provides a radiantlayer 301 at both exposed surfaces of the assembly, but provides only apocket of dead air space 302 between the two radiant layers. This priorart lacks any active method to reduce the heat transfer effect.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

One example embodiment includes an active insulated assembly forcontrolling heat transfer through insulated assemblies. The activeinsulated assembly includes a thermal conductor configured to activelymove thermal energy from the active insulated assembly. The activeinsulated assembly also includes a first radiant barrier on a first sideof the thermal conductor configured to reflect radiant energy back toits source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in eitherdirection. The active insulated assembly further includes a secondradiant barrier on a second side of the thermal conductor wherein thesecond side is opposite the first side, the second radiant barrierconfigured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow theassembly to resist heat transfer in either direction.

Another example embodiment includes an active insulated assembly forcontrolling heat transfer through insulated assemblies. The activeinsulated assembly includes a thermal conductor configured to activelymove thermal energy from the active insulated assembly. The activeinsulated assembly also includes a first radiant barrier on a first sideof the thermal conductor configured to reflect radiant energy back toits source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in eitherdirection. The active insulated assembly further includes a secondradiant barrier on a second side of the thermal conductor wherein thesecond side is opposite the first side, the second radiant barrierconfigured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow theassembly to resist heat transfer in either direction. The activeinsulated assembly additionally includes a logic device configured tocontrol the movement of thermal energy in the thermal conductor.

Another example embodiment includes an active insulated assembly forcontrolling heat transfer through insulated assemblies. The activeinsulated assembly includes a first radiant barrier configured toreflect radiant energy back to its source and allow the assembly toresist heat transfer in either direction. The active insulated assemblyalso includes a thermal conductor on a first side of the first radiantbarrier configured to actively move thermal energy from the activeinsulated assembly. The active insulated assembly further includes asecond radiant barrier on a first side of the thermal conductor whereinthe second radiant barrier is opposite the first radiant barrierrelative to the thermal conductor. The second radiant barrier isconfigured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow theassembly to resist heat transfer in either direction. The activeinsulated assembly additionally includes a logic device configured tocontrol the movement of thermal energy in the thermal conductor. Theactive insulated assembly moreover includes an insulating materialplaced between the first radiant barrier and the second radiant barrier.The active insulated assembly also includes a sensor configured tomeasure the non-radiant heat transfer at the first radiant barrier.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a section view of U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,381,referenced above;

FIG. 2 (Prior Art) is a section view of U.S. Patent Publication No.2006/0230707, referenced above;

FIG. 3 (Prior Art) is a section view of U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,852,referenced above;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an active insulated assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an active insulated wall assembly;

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature profile over time of the activeinsulated wall assembly in a non-active mode;

FIG. 7 illustrates a temperature profile over time of the activeinsulated wall assembly in an active mode;

FIG. 8 illustrates a temperature gradient across a typical insulatedassembly; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature gradient across an active insulatedassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures willbe provided with like reference designations. It is understood that thefigures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of someembodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the presentinvention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

This invention and its various embodiments use specific assembly layersto reflect or re-direct radiant energy and isolate all heat transferbetween the two radiant layers to a conductive or convective form andusing various active methods to remove or add energy content to restrictheat transfer through the assembly, subassembly, or component. Theprocess and method of applying energy, redirecting radiant energy in aneffort to create net neutral heat transfer assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to control and reduce thetransfer of heat through an assembly by first controlling the heattransfer caused by radiant heat and then by using a thermally conductivematerial sandwiched between the two exposed surfaces to actively impedeheat transfer through the assembly. In describing thermally conductive,in this art, the reference is the ability of a material to transferheat, not electrical conduction.

Active Insulated Assembly

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an active insulated assembly 400. Theactive insulated assembly 400 provides a novel approach to controllingthe radiation component of heat transfer and active energy means toimprove an insulated assembly's performance. In particular, the activeinsulated assembly 400 provides a comprehensive approach to controllingheat transfer through insulated assemblies by addressing the (1) radiantheat transfer component in an insulated assembly and (2) applying activemethods within the assembly to inhibit heat transfer. I.e., by removing(or adding) heat to the insulated assembly, a conditioned area is easierto maintain at its current environment than would otherwise be possible.That is, the active insulated assembly 400 uses various methods,including those that actively add or remove energy from the insulatedassembly, to neutralize any net heat transfer. Moreover, the activeinsulated assembly 400 accounts for all radiant energy transfer throughan insulated assembly to improve the overall energy performance as itpertains to maintaining the conditioned system.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the active insulatedassembly 400 can produce multiple benefits. For example, the activeinsulated assembly 400 can save energy by taking into account theradiant losses and/or radiant heat transferred that has been previouslyoverlooked. In addition, the active insulated assembly 400 can saveenergy by reducing the heat transfer through the assembly, therebyreducing the overall heating and cooling costs to maintain the interiorenvironment conditions. Further, the active insulated assembly 400 canuse various methods to convert previously lost heat transfer into usableforms of energy. Moreover, once heat transfer is converted into a usableform of energy, it can be stored or transferred to be used in otherparts of the active insulated assembly 400 or within a structure. E.g.,heat that is removed from the active insulated assembly 400 can betransported to heat desired areas of a structure or an area of thestructure that is producing excess heat can be used to heat the activeinsulated assembly 400. Also, the symmetrical assembly design of activeinsulated assembly 400 allows for heat transfer to be controlled ineither direction through the active insulated assembly 400. In addition,by adding just the energy required (temperature of the heat transfermedium to be between the external and internal temperatures), theoverall energy consumption of the active insulated assembly 400 isreduced. Further, smart materials can be used to allow forself-regulated control of the active insulated assembly 400. Moreover,self-regulated control within the active insulated assembly 400 usingthe temperature and resulting conductive and/or pressure effects on thelayer material (e.g., the active insulated assembly 400 can be used totransfer heat from a higher temperature area to a lower temperaturecreating a more uniform environment and can do so using pressureimbalances created by the temperature differences). Also, insulationlayers could be engineered to be thinner in profile than traditionalinsulation methods and achieve better performance, modifying or reducingoverall construction costs. In addition, the active insulated assembly400 reduces issues of condensation at or near the surface temperature ofthe assembly. Further, the active insulated assembly 400 could bedesigned and operated in such a way as to purge any biological growthwithout the need for disassembly. The active insulated assembly 400 canbe used with more than two surfaces with variable and different thermalcollective, redirection, and apparatuses. This converted energy can beused to actively improve the insulating properties of the insulatedassembly. Also, the active insulated assembly 400 can use active methodsto reduce the overall energy required to maintain a thermal barrier incomparison to traditional passive insulated assemblies. Active methodsas include the following processes: 1) the core layer acts as a heatsink to wick away heat before it has a chance to pass through theassembly, or 2) as a heat source to match the higher temperature to stopthe migration of heat through the assembly. In both cases, heat is addedor removed in incrementally small amounts as close to the temperatureneeded to maintain neutral heat transfer through the assembly and reduceoverall energy consumption. Moreover, the methods of heat transfer andstorage using proper installation of the active insulated assembly 400will reduce heating and/or cooling loads in traditional constructionprojects. Finally, insulation layers could be engineered to be thinnerin profile than traditional insulation methods and achieve betterperformance, modifying or reducing overall construction costs.

FIG. 4 shows that the active insulated assembly 400 can include aradiant barrier 402 applied to both exposed surfaces. Depending on thetemperature range and/or thermal performance requirements, the radiantbarrier 402 could be any type of material known to reflect, resist, orblock the transfer of radiant energy. For example, the radiant barriercould be composed of any of the following materials: crystallinestructures; ceramic structures; conductive metals or alloys—stacked inseries or parallel arrangements; tubes, pipes, or wires; gases, fluids,or solid chemical compounds; paints or finishes; plastic, polymer,synthetic, foil sheets, coating, or sheathing; or engineered smartmaterials. As used herein a radiant barrier 402 shall be any materialwith a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/(m*K) (watts per meterkelvin).

FIG. 4 also shows that the active insulated assembly 400 can include athermal conductor 401 that actively adds or removes energy from theactive insulated assembly 400. The thermal conductor 401 can besandwiched between the radiant barriers 402. Depending on thetemperature range and/or thermal performance requirements, the thermalconductor 401 could range from several millimeters in thickness toseveral meters. As a result of resisting or blocking the radiant energy,the radiant barrier 402 could convert or transfer this energy to thethermal conductor 401. Depending on the temperature range and/or thermalperformance requirements, the thermal conductor 401 could be composed ofany material or combination of materials known to transfer or convertheat energy. For example, the thermal conductor 401 can include:crystalline structures—both conductive and semi-conductive; ceramicstructures—both conductive and semi-conductive; conductive metals oralloys—stacked in series or parallel arrangements; tubes, pipes, orwires; gases, fluids, or solid chemical compounds; engineered smartmaterials or any other desired material. As used herein a thermalconductor 401 shall be any material with a thermal conductivity ofgreater than 1 W/(m*K).

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the radiant barrier 402 andthe thermal conductor 401 could be composed of the same materials butwith different thermal conductivities. For example, ceramic structurescould be engineered to be good radiant barriers 402 as well as designedto be good thermal conductor 401. Depending on the temperature rangeand/or thermal performance requirements, a complete active insulatedassembly 400 could be constructed of multiple sub-assembly layers inseries, each with varying individual thermal performance. I.e., anactive insulated assembly 400 could be radiant barrier 402->thermalconductor 401->radiant barrier 402->thermal conductor 401->radiantbarrier 402 or can include active insulated assemblies 400 in series(e.g., radiant barrier 402->thermal conductor 401->radiant barrier402->open space->radiant barrier 402->thermal conductor 401->radiantbarrier 402).

In addition, the active insulated assembly 400 could be externallycontrolled or self-regulated. For example, sensors embedded behind eachradiant layer or incorporated into the material layer itself could beused to measure the resulting non-radiant heat transfer at each exposureand determine the amount and direction of active heat transfer that isapplied to the thermal conductor 401. Self-regulated control could beaccomplished using materials within each layer known to changeconductivity or radiant reflectivity, based on temperature.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the active insulatedassembly 400 can also include a humidity control within the assembly toreduce biological growth (e.g., fungi or bacteria) within the activeinsulated assembly 400 without the need for disassembly. By adding orremoving heat from the assembly, you can actively move the vaporcondensing temperature to the outside barrier of the assembly to reducepossible condensation and the resulting microbial growth. I.e., in caseswhere the assembly will be subjected to high moisture environments onboth sides of the assembly, a humidity control could be added to measurehumidity on both sides and within the assembly, and using a logiccircuit, determine the best active method to reduce moisture migrationand insulated assembly degradation. For example, the humidity controlcan include heating, cooling, dehumidifier or air circulation within theactive insulated assembly 400.

Active Insulated Wall Assembly

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an active insulated wall assembly 500.The active insulated wall assembly 500 can be used for building walls,although the same concept can be applied to floors or roofs. In additionto the benefits of the active insulated assembly 400 of FIG. 4 , theheat collected within the conductive material can be transferred toareas of the active insulated wall assembly 500 not exposed to heatloads to provide a uniform temperature within the conductive layer.Further, fluid circulated as the heat transfer medium can provide bothheating and cooling methods depending on the enclosed environmentalneeds. Also, heat gained from solar panels, waste heat from processloads, or ventilation heat recovery systems can generate fluidtemperatures adequate to maintain wall temperatures; reducing the needfor fossil fuels. Moreover, because of the approach temperature of theconductive assembly and ambient temperature, cooling sources such asevaporative cooled fluids, ground water, solar panels, and surface watersources are adequate to maintain the wall heat transfer neutralcondition reducing the need for electrically driven mechanical cooling.In addition, using the mass of the wall for heating/cooling storagesimilar to the Trombe wall effect, but allowing the mass of the entirestructure to be used for storage. Because a radiant barrier exists oneach side of the thermally conductive material, the walls can be heatedor cooled during off hours. Additionally or alternatively, the mass ofthe active insulated wall assembly 500 can be managed to facilitate orhamper heat transfer across the active insulated wall assembly 500depending on conditions. For example, water can be added or removed tothe active insulated wall assembly 500 to control the rate of heattransfer. Further, the ability to modify or delay the normal cooling andheating loads can allow for participation in off peak load demandresponse.

While implementations described above are primarily descriptive ofassemblies and methods currently used, it is understood that theinvention is to apply to new materials and processes that have the sameeffect. For example, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatmaterials that can be manufactured and used in current assembles thatcan have either passive multi layered radiant heat redirection oreffective improvements in energy or thermal efficiency and performance.In addition, materials or subassemblies that have active means forchanging or redirecting radiant heat to improve energy or thermalefficiency and performance are contemplated herein.

In addition, one of sill in the art will appreciate that prefabricatedassemblies, post assembled constructions, modified applications or anyremodeled instances where secondary radiant heat loss or semi-conductiveheat transfer and isolation is contemplated herein. Such embodimentscould include layers of engineered paint, plastics, air and foam appliedto existing structures that improve thermal and energy performance bycapturing, reflecting or redirecting radiant heat.

FIG. 5 shows that the active insulated wall assembly 500 can include PEX(cross-linked polyethylene) piping 505 routed horizontally orvertically. Benefits of using PEX piping 505 include: flexibility;direct routing of pipes; and no corrosion. Fluid circulated within thePEX piping 505 channels is routed around the perimeter of the structure.

FIG. 5 also shows that the active insulated wall assembly 500 caninclude a semi conductive building material 504. The building material504 can include any material used in building construction. For example,the building material 504 can include a concrete foundation or wall. ThePEX piping 505 can be routed through the building material 504 tofacilitate heat capture/transfer.

FIG. 5 further shows that the active insulated wall assembly 500 caninclude layers of foam insulation 503 with a radiant barrier 402 at eachexposure. The foam insulation 503 can be applied to the outer surface ofthe building material 504. For example, the foam insulation 503 caninclude expanded polystyrene (EPS) of a density and thickness withbracing and support to be suitable for concrete form work.

FIG. 5 additionally shows that the active insulated wall assembly 500can include thermal sensors 506. The thermal sensors 506 can be locatedat the interface of the insulation 503 and the semi conductive layer, atthe inside and outside surface for each building exposure. Readings fromthe thermal sensors 506, using fuzzy logic or any other type of controlmethod that can determine the temperature state of the inside andoutside wall assembly, can be compared to the space temperature todetermine whether the wall needs heating or cooling. Heat transferwithin the semi conductive layer, using various methods, includes usingthe pex piping 505 (or other thermal conductor) to add or remove heat asnecessary to maintain negligible heat transfer through the activeinsulated wall assembly 500.

Additionally or alternatively, the active insulated wall assembly 500can communicate with other active insulated wall assemblies to increaseeffectiveness. For example, a southern active insulated wall assembly500 which is exposed to the sun (and, therefore, hotter than theinterior space) may communicate with a northern active insulated wallassembly 500 which is shaded by the building (and, therefore, coolerthan the interior space) and transfer heat from the southern activeinsulated wall assembly 500 to the northern active insulated wallassembly 500, bringing both closer to the interior temperature,increasing the effectiveness of climate controls within the interiorspace.

Likewise, thermal energy can be moved using energy obtained from anydesired source. For example, thermal energy can be obtained or removedusing solar hydronic, solar PV, geothermal techniques, evaporativemethods or any other desired source. Additionally or alternatively, theenergy for moving thermal energy within the pex piping 505 (or otherthermal conductor) can come from any desired source. For example, if thepex piping 505 (or other thermal conductor) has a fluid, the fluid canbe moved from one active insulated wall assembly 500 to another activeinsulated wall assembly 500 using a fan, pump or otherelectro-mechanical device. Additionally or alternatively, if the pexpiping 505 (or other thermal conductor) includes electrical componentsto move thermal energy, then the electrical power can come directly fromany of the above sources to the electrical components, rather than to anintervening mechanical device.

Additionally or alternatively, the movement of thermal energy can becontrolled by a logic device. A logic device can include any devicecapable of performing logic functions. For example, the logic device canperform Boolean logic or can produce a pre-determined output based oninput. The logic device can include ROM memory, programmable logicdevice (PLD), programmable array logic (PAL), generic array logic (GAL),complex programmable logic device (CPLD), field programmable gate arrays(FPGA), logic gates, processors or any other device capable ofperforming logic functions.

The logic device can be configured to control the movement of thermalenergy within the pex piping 505 (or other thermal conductor). Forexample, the logic device can decide to use the thermal mass or storageavailable within the overall system to, to control the rate of thermaltransfer through the active insulated wall assembly 500. Additionally oralternatively, the logic device can cause the pex piping 505 (or otherthermal conductor) to move thermal energy from one location to another(e.g., from a first active insulated wall assembly 500 to a secondactive insulated wall assembly 500 or from a location which is warmer,such as a server room, to where it is needed, such as an office spacebeing heated. Additionally or alternatively, the logic device can useother methods to control the rate of thermal transfer through the activeinsulated wall assembly 500. For example, the logic device can cause thepex piping 505 (or other thermal conductor) to expand or contract toallow for greater or lesser thermal conductivity or can change thevoltage potential or other characteristic of the thermal conductor tochange the thermal conductivity.

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature profile over time of the outer wall(T1), temperature readings for a thermal sensor inside the outer radiantbarrier (T2) temperature readings for a thermal sensor inside the innerradiant barrier (T3) and the inner wall (T4) of the active insulatedwall assembly in a non-active mode. In a normal daily cycle thermalgradients are set between the inside and outside and this denotes thedriving force in heat transfer through the assembly. The insulationlayer, depending on its R-value will resist the flow of heat and, atsteady state, a thermal gradient will be established as indicated in therelated thermal graph. Note that heat does pass through the wall asdescribed by the equation: Q=UAΔT, where Q is heat transferred, U is1/the summation of all individual R values, A is the assembly area, andΔT is the temperature difference across the assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a temperature profile over time of the outer wall(T1), temperature readings for a thermal sensor inside the outer radiantbarrier (T2) temperature readings for a thermal sensor inside the innerradiant barrier (T3) and the inner wall (T4) of the active insulatedwall assembly in an active mode. Relative to the graph of FIG. 6 , theradiant barriers maintain a much steadier temperature, allowing for lessenergy input to create a stable environment inside the structure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a temperature gradient across a typical insulatedassembly (i.e., not active). In a typical insulated assembly, radiantenergy is exposed to the exterior surface of the assembly, heating thesurface and creating both conductive and radiant heat transfer throughthe assembly. Once the heat passes through the insulated assembly, itmust be dealt with using other more costly methods to address theresulting heat transfer as it is well understood that electricallydriven air conditioning or fossil fuel furnaces expend much higherlevels of energy to condition the space. By actively addressing the heattransfer at the assembly, the overall energy expended to maintain theconditioned space is reduced.

FIG. 9 illustrates a temperature gradient across an active insulatedassembly represented by FIG. 7 . Radiant energy is exposed to theassembly's exterior surface, which is absorbed and heats the finishlayer (701). The finish layer then begins to radiate energy at itsresulting temperature until it reaches the radiant barrier, where amajor portion of the radiant heat is reflected back and a small portionheats the radiant barrier (702). The radiant barrier then transfersenergy in the form of radiation and conduction to the thermallyconductive layer of the assembly. The resultant radiant energy emittedby the first radiant layer, at a low temperature is now reflected backby the second radiant layer, trapping this energy between the tworadiant barriers. Because the assembly is symmetrical in constructionand can resist heat transfer in either direction providing dual dutyperformance, depending on the application of the assembly. Thereflection of radiant energy at the second radiant barrier back into theconditioned environment means the inside layer temperature is closer tothe conditioned space temperature, which may in some modes of operation,allow less energy to be used to maintain the conditioned space atoptimal temperatures. With heat transfer through the assembly limited toconduction, the core layer of the assembly uses means and methods to addor remove energy 703 to resist the overall heat transfer through theassembly.

FIG. 9 shows that there is a lag in time between the highest outdoortemperature and the resulting rise in temperature in the conductive corelayer. This allows for predictive preconditioning within the assembly toapply active methods to remove heat or store heat in anticipation ofheat transfer loads. Application of active methods could be plannedaround demand response or favorable utility rates or environmentalconditions as the load can be addressed at some point before it reachesthe conditioned space.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An active insulated assembly for controlling heattransfer, the active insulated assembly comprising: a first radiantbarrier on a first side of the active insulated assembly, the firstradiant barrier having a first radiant reflectivity characteristic andthe first radiant barrier being configured to reflect radiant energyincident thereon in a direction toward a source of the incident radiantenergy; a first thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature ofthe first radiant barrier; a second radiant barrier on a second side ofthe active insulated assembly wherein the second side is opposite thefirst side, the second radiant barrier having a second radiantreflectivity characteristic and the second radiant barrier beingconfigured to reflect radiant energy incident thereon in a directiontoward a source of the incident radiant energy; a second thermal sensorconfigured to measure a temperature of the second radiant barrier; athermal conductor in thermal communication with the first and secondradiant barriers; and a logic device coupled to one or both of the firstand second thermal sensors and configured to: anticipate a heat transferload of the active insulated assembly based upon the temperaturereadings provided thereto; and based upon the anticipated heat transferload, adjusting a temperature of one or both of the first and secondradiant barriers by adding or removing thermal energy from the first andsecond barriers via the thermal conductor.
 2. The active insulatedassembly of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductor moves thermal energyusing at least one of: solar hydronic; solar PV; geothermal; orevaporative methods.
 3. The active insulated assembly of claim 2,wherein the movement of thermal energy in thermal conductor iscontrolled by the logic device.
 4. The active insulated assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the logic device includes a processor.
 5. The activeinsulated assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductor movesthermal energy to a second active insulated assembly.
 6. The activeinsulated assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductor movesthermal energy to a space where the thermal energy is used to warm thespace.
 7. The active insulated assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermalconductor moves thermal energy from a space where the removal of thermalenergy is used to cool the space.
 8. The active insulated assembly ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first radiant barrier and the secondradiant barrier includes at least one of: crystalline structures;ceramic structures; metal; tubes; pipes; wires; chemical compounds;paints; finishes; plastic; polymer; synthetic; foil sheets; coating;sheathing; or engineered smart materials.
 9. The active insulatedassembly of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductor includes at least oneof: crystalline structures; ceramic structures; metals; tubes; pipes;wires; chemical compounds; or engineered smart materials.
 10. The activeinsulated assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third sensorconfigured to measure: the temperature within the active insulatedassembly; or the non-radiant heat transfer at the first radiant barrier.11. The active insulated assembly of claim 1 further comprising ahumidity control.
 12. An active insulated assembly for controlling heattransfer, the active insulated assembly comprising: a first radiantbarrier configured to reflect radiant energy back to its source, thefirst radiant barrier applied to a first surface of the active assembly;a second radiant barrier applied to a second surface of the activeassembly opposite the first radiant barrier and the first surface, thesecond radiant barrier configured to reflect radiant energy back to itssource; a thermal conductor in thermal communication with the firstradiant barrier and the second radiant barrier, the thermal conductorconfigured to condition thermal energy within the active insulatedassembly by adding to removing thermal energy to neutralize net heattransfer; a plurality of sensor arranged within and without the activeinsulated assembly, each sensor configured to obtain temperaturereadings associated with a location of the active insulated assemblybased on a position of each sensor, wherein a placement of each sensorwith respect to each other sensor enables a determination of heattransfer within and without the active insulated assembly; a logicdevice configured to anticipate a heat transfer load of the activeinsulated assembly based on the temperature readings from the pluralityof sensors; and the logic device further configured to control thethermal conductor to add or remove heat within the active insulatedassembly as a function of the anticipated heat transfer load; andwherein the thermal conductor is configured to add and remove heat, thethermal conductor configured as a heat sink to remove heat before it isable to pass through the active insulated assembly.
 13. The activeinsulated assembly of claim 12, wherein the thermal conductor includespiping containing a fluid.
 14. The active insulated assembly of claim13, wherein the mass of the fluid in the piping can be controlled by thelogic device.
 15. The active insulated assembly of claim 13, wherein thefluid includes at least one of: air; or water.
 16. The active insulatedassembly of claim 14 further comprising a storage tank configured tostore the fluid when not in the piping.
 17. The active insulatedassembly of claim 14 further comprising a pump configured to move thefluid within the piping.
 18. The active insulated assembly of claim 12wherein the logic device is configured to engage in predictivepreconditioning, wherein predictive preconditioning includes at leastone of: moving thermal energy in anticipation of external environmentalchanges; or planning the movement of thermal energy based on utilityusage.